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Gujarat Rajya Sabha Election 2017: As it happened
Rajya Sabha elections 2017: Witness the Live action for the fight for 10 seats in the Upper House of the Parliament
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BJP's Amit Shah & Smriti Irani have won Rajya Sabha seats from Gujarat
This is not just my victory. It is a defeat of the most blatant use of money power, muscle power and abuse of state machinery, says Ahmed Patel
Also Read — Gujarat Rajya Sabha Election Results: This is what Ahmed Patel tweeted after `winning` seat
Congress candidate Ahmed Patel wins Rajya Sabha poll from Gujarat, claims party chief whip Shailesh Parmar; formal result yet to come
Congress workers celebrate in Gandhinagar after AhmedPatel's victory in Gujarat Rajya Sabha polls
"Satyamev Jayate", tweets Congress leader Ahmed Patel after retaining Rajya Sabha seat from Gujarat
This is not just my victory. It is a defeat of the most blatant use of money power,muscle power and abuse of state machinery
Congress leader Ahmed Patel retains Rajya Sabha seat from Gujarat
Counting of votes for Gujarat RS polls stalled after BJP claims two Congress MLAs violated rules by showing ballots to unauthorised people
Counting for Gujarat Rajya Sabha polls to start shortly, as per ANI
Ahmed Patel hails EC verdict, says "I appreciate the order of the Election Commission. I salute my MLAs and rank and file of the Congress Party"
BJP MLA MLA Nalin Kotadia posts Facebook video saying he didn't vote for the party
Ahmed Patel Ji said EC made a good decision and thanked them: Bharatsinh Solanki, Gujarat Cong President
If required we will take legal action: Gujarat Dy CM Nitinbhai Patel on EC verdict declaring vote of 2 Cong MLAs as invalid
I believe they already had plans since yesterday to make this fabricated story and conspiracy. Our polling agent raised the issue immediately but we thought it is for EC to decide further on it. I demand EC to make CD public: Gujarat Deputy CM
Shaktisinh Gohil has seen the CD himself also and knows that he stood up in anger: Gujarat Dy CM Nitinbhai Patel
The decision is sad. If the CD of voting is made public, not just us the whole nation will say the decision is wrong. Shaktisinh Gohil Ji was angry when MLA showed him his vote; he is visibly angry; tried to snatch the ballot paper: Gujarat Dy CM Nitinbhai Patel
Gujarat Cong President Bharatsinh Solanki says "Big win for democracy; will boost morale of Congress worker; Ahmed Patel will win with big margin"
Election Commission asks Returning Officer to start counting of votes after segregating the votes of two Congress MLAs in question
Election Commission declares votes of Congress MLAs Bhola Bhai Gohil and Raghav Bhai Patel as invalid
Gujarat Rajya Sabha polls: Amit Shah, Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani, Bhupender Yadav and other party members sitting outside counting center in Gandhinagar
Gujarat Rajya Sabha polls: Election Commission to convey order on counting of votes to Returning Officer at 11.30 pm
With all respect want to tell BJP that this is the war of truth, lies cannot prevail on Gandhi Ji's land: Congress leader RS Surjewala on Gujarat Rajya Sabha polls
Election Commission officials did not meet Congress, BJP delegations for the third time; officials are in closed door meeting right now, as per ANI
We want electoral process to be completed and counting to begin: Union Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman urges Election Commission
We are confident about EC's judgement, they'll be giving opining on counting soon: Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Gujarat Rajya Sabha elections
Congress cannot put undue pressure on Election Commission; if they go to EC the third time, so will we: Ravi Shankar Prasad
BJP leader MA Naqvi appeals Election Commission to start the counting process immediately, cites ''free and fair elections took place"
Have full faith in Election Commission; Congress's allegations have no substance and they are giving wrong precedents, says Ravi Shankar Prasad after meeting EC again
Union Minister Arun Jaitley also arrives at Election Commission office in Delhi
Congress leader P Chidambaram claims, "There is enough evidence that the ballot paper were seen by people other than those authorized"
Election Commission must reject these ballot papers as it did in Haryana in June 2016: Chidambaram
Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel says the Election Commission will take a call on the Congress's demand for invalidating votes of two of its MLAs who claimed to have voted for BJP nominees.
He alleged that the Congress was raising "non- issues" as the opposition party has "sensed defeat".
BJP leaders meet Election Commission officials in Delhi.
A delegation headed by Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley tells the EC that under Article 324 of the Constitution no authority can interfere with election process once the voting is completed and the ballots are put inside the box.
BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad demands immediate counting of votes and announcement of results, says Congress is reacting out of fear of defeat.
Veteran Congress leader Ahmed Patel, who is himself contesting the crucial Rajya Sabha Elections, says Congress immediately filed a complaint with the Election Commission seeking that votes of two party MLAs, who claimed to have voted for the BJP nominees, be declared invalid.
He accused the Returning Officer of not taking any action on their complaint.
"I am very much confident of winning, let the counting take place," Patel says when asked to comment on his chances of winning the polls.
Senior BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad speaks to the media, accuses Congress of leveling baseless allegations.
Congress members did not protest about the two rebel Congress MLAs, who allegedly displayed their ballot paper to the BJP's polling agent after voting for the ruling party, says Prasad.
Congress leaders including Anand Sharma and Randeep Surjewala will go to the Election Commission again shortly, ANI reports.
Congress leader Arjun Modhwadia addresses media.
Modhwadia says, "We had raised objection at 9.30 am, but EC has not responded till now. This shows that they are being put under pressure."
"We requested the EC that Congress, BJP and the Presiding officer should jointly watch the video, but BJP objected," says the Gujarat Congress stalwart.
Earlier, Counting for the Gujarat Rajya Sabha elections had to be stopped with the Congress demanding cancellation of votes of two of its legislators who cross-voted and displayed their ballot paper to the BJP's polling agent.
Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Law Minister Ravi Shankar, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Commerce & Industry Nirmala Sitharaman also reach Election Commission.
With Congress demanding cancellation of votes of two of its legislators who cross-voted and displayed their ballot paper to the BJP's polling agent, Union Ministers MA Naqvi, Piyush Goyal and Dharmendra Pradhan will meet the Election Commission officials shortly.
Election Commission officials are meeting to take a decision on Congress' complaint. The EC will be announcing its decision today iteslf.
Senior JD(U) leader KC Tyagi confirms that lone party MLA Chhotu Vasava was asked by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to vote for BJP and he has done the same.
Counting delayed as Congress seeks cancellation of two votes cast by rebels Raghavji Patel and Bhola Gohel. They allegedly displayed their ballot paper to the BJP's polling agent.
Congress leader Shaktisinh Gohil says two Congress MLAs Bholabhai and Raghavji Bhai voted for BJP and publicly showed their votes.
Congress leaders Randeep Surjewala and RPN Singh approach Election Commission to demand cancellation of votes of the two party MLAs.
The lone JD(U) MLA in Gujarat, Chhotu Vasava, says he voted for Congress' nominee Ahmed Patel in the Rajya Sabha polls.
The Congress says party legislators who cross-voted in the Rajya Sabha elections in Gujarat will be suspended with immediate effect.
Ahmed Patel expresses confidence in winning the Rajya Sabha election.
"Numbers are in our favour, result should be good, I am confident and optimistic," Patel says.
Congress leader Ashok Gehlot exudes confidence in Ahmed Patel winning the Rajya Sabha seat from Gujarat.
Polling for Rajya Sabha elections in Gujarat over as all 176 MLAs cast their vote, says state Chief Electoral Officer BB Swain.
Rebel Congress leader Shankersinh Vaghela confirms that he didn't vote for the official party nominee Ahmed Patel in the crucial Gujarat Rajya Sabha polls.
After casting their votes in the ongoing Rajya Sabha election, Gujarat Congress MLAs gather at Uma Bhawan to have lunch.
Congress MLA Dharshi Khanpura cast his vote after an Election Commission officer denied his proxy voting request.
The EC official had told Khanpura that the request for proxy voting should have been given three days in advance.
61 BJP MLAs and 43 Congress MLAs have cast their votes so far.
In Gujarat Rajya Sabha Polls 2017, 61 BJP legislators and 43 Congress MLAs have cast their votes so far.
More reports of cross voting has emerged.
Two Congress leaders - Raghavji Patel and Dharmendra Jadeja - admitted voting for admitted that they have voted for BJP's Balwantsinh Rajput.
"I have voted for Balwantsinh Rajput. I want to stay in politics but not in Congress. There are only two parties in Gujarat - Congress and BJP. If I'm not with Congress, this is understood where will I be," Raghavji Patel told ANI.
The other Congress leader Jadeja said that he voted for BJP as Congress was not paying heed to them.
"Congress hadn't been listening to us for a year. We have voted for Balwantsinh Rajput," Jadeja said.
NCP member Jayant Patel has voted for Congress. "Voted according to whip issued by high command, after all we are the partner of UPA," he says.
The 44 Congress MLAs have now reached the state assembly in Gandhinagar from Neejanand resort in Anand.
"Out of the 4 candidates, Ahmed Patel is going to get the maximum number of votes. His victory is certain," claims Congress MLA Shailesh Parmar
"There are only 2 parties in Gujarat - Congress and BJP. If I'm not with Congress, you know where will I be," says Congress leader Raghavji Patel to ANI
It seems two Congress legislators have voted for BJP, admitted party member Arjun Modhwadia.
Despite his yesterday's cryptic message, former Congress stalwart confirmed that he has not voted for Ahmed Patel.
Voting begins at the Gujarat assembly for Rajya Sabha elections, reports news agency ANI.
BJP candidates Smriti Irani and Amit Shah arrive at State Legislative Assembly. State Chief Minister Vijay Rupani also reaches the venue
With minutes to go for the Rajya Sabha polls, final arrangements are being made inside the House.
Rajya Sabha polls begin at 9 am
Ahmed Patel reached Neejanand Resort in Anand where 44 Congress MLAs are staying.
In a major setback for Gujarat Congress, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on Monday announced that it will support the BJP in Rajya Sabha Polls 2017.
Congress candidate Ahmed Patel is however unfazed, claiming he has a support of “enough” number of MLAs to win the battle.
New Delhi/Ahmedabad: Senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel was re-elected to the Rajya Sabha from Gujarat after a tense election.
BJP leaders Amit Shah and Smriti Irani also won the Rajya Sabha seats from Gujarat, ANI reported.
Earlier, the Congress had approached the Election Commission seeking to invalidate the votes of its two legislators who voted for the BJP, which the EC agreed after reviewing the matter.
After the voting concluded in the state Assembly on Tuesday evening, both the Congress and BJP indulged in a war of words. While the Congress accused the BJP of playing dirty politics, the latter hit back saying the Sonia Gandhi-led party had no future.